Jung Min-ju being a fan of Wadeulwadeul was no lie. He had been keeping a close eye on her ever since she collaborated with Jo Meo-hyeop, who was under his charge. He had even watched her very first broadcast live from beginning to end.
His five years of experience as an MCN PD told him everything. Wadeulwadeul possessed the qualities of a streamer destined for greatness. It wasn’t that Sori Hwa’s commentary during her broadcasts was particularly humorous.
However, as a PD, he knew such things could easily be refined. What truly mattered was the inherent caliber of her character. Amidst the countless streamers out there, Sori Hwa’s character was unequivocally unique. To Jung Min-ju, this was her true talent.
“I’m heading out for an external meeting!”
“Damn it, you startled me. So suddenly?”
The team leader of Content Team 3, to which Jung Min-ju belonged, was taken aback.
“Don’t you know the monthly regular report, attended by the Director, is today? I told you not to schedule any external meetings.”
“I’m going to meet Wadeulwadeul-nim.”
“Oh? You made contact?”
“Yes. Jo Meo-hyeop-nim seems to have pulled some strings for me.”
Naturally, PD Jung Min-ju wasn’t the only one paying attention to Wadeulwadeul. As the newcomer streamer with the highest debut broadcast score on Ogogok (TL Note: A fictional streaming platform), Wadeulwadeul had captured the attention of every MCN.
“Ah, well, you have to go for that. Alright. I’ll explain it to the Director.”
At the mention of Wadeulwadeul’s name, even the team leader immediately backed down. Such was Wadeulwadeul’s status; she was a blue-chip prospect coveted by every MCN.
Though he couldn’t be certain, the swiftness of the contact suggested that Arc Network, his own company, was likely the first to reach out to Wadeulwadeul. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Securing Wadeulwadeul’s contract signature here would undoubtedly boost his performance review.
Inside the taxi en route, Jung Min-ju booked a flight ticket. There were many direct flights from Beijing to Xi’an, so he anticipated being able to depart shortly after arriving at the airport.
‘What does Wadeulwadeul-nim look like?’
Jung Min-ju, being an Ogogok viewer before becoming a PD, naturally harbored this curiosity. A streamer’s bare face was one of the things viewers were most eager to see.
Her voice suggested she might be cute, but given her combat prowess, she could also be muscular. Since her broadcast persona was inherently confusing, her bare face was difficult to envision. Still, he felt confident she wouldn’t be an extraordinary beauty, as most beauties typically streamed with their cameras on.
Soon after, Jung Min-ju boarded a direct flight to Xi’an. During the flight, he planned to rewatch Wadeulwadeul’s downloaded past broadcasts. Although he had already seen them, reviewing them again and organizing feedback points would help him make a better impression during his meeting with Wadeulwadeul.
Since the rewatch content was just over three hours long, he found himself arriving in Xi’an by the time he finished watching the broadcasts.
Jung Min-ju had offered to come directly to Wadeulwadeul’s home, but she had recoiled in horror, suggesting they meet instead in front of Changgung Department Store, a bustling area in Xi’an. The taxi ride from Xi’an Airport to Changgung Department Store typically took about 20 minutes. Fortunately, he expected to arrive about ten minutes earlier than their scheduled meeting time.
“This is where you wanted to be dropped off, right?”
“Yes, thank you, driver.”
After paying the taxi fare with mobile payment, Jung Min-ju alighted in front of the department store. The area in front of Changgung Department Store was truly the heart of Xi’an’s bustling commercial district. With so many people, it would be impossible to spot someone he had never met before.
Just as he was about to make a call, his phone vibrated. The screen displayed “Wadeulwadeul-nim.”
“Yes, Wadeul-nim.”
“Ah, hello. I’m in front of the department store right now…”
He heard Wadeulwadeul’s timid voice. It seemed they had arrived at a similar, opportune time.
“Ah! I just arrived too! What are you wearing?”
“Oh. I’m wearing a beige blouse and a black skirt…”
For some reason, Wadeulwadeul’s voice trailed off, giving the impression of a lack of confidence. This wasn’t unusual, as many streamers tended to be introverted and somewhat diffident.
“Understood! I’ll look for you!”
The area in front of Changgung Department Store, like any major meeting point, was crowded with people, but finding someone if you knew their attire shouldn’t be too difficult.
Yet, Jung Min-ju couldn’t easily spot a woman in a beige blouse and black skirt. What did catch his eye was a section where people had gathered, causing a bottleneck. It was the only place in front of the department store where people were densely packed and, for some reason, moving slowly.
Following his intuition, Jung Min-ju pushed his way into the crowd. He soon understood why this particular area was so congested.
“Wow, isn’t she a child actress?”
“Perhaps a child model?”
“She looks more like a middle schooler than a child model, though?”
Standing before a marble statue in front of the department store was a beautiful girl. Even Jung Min-ju momentarily forgot his professional duties, staring blankly. If a professional like Jung Min-ju was so captivated, it went without saying for the passersby. This beautiful girl was the sole reason for the bottleneck.
Her radiant silver hair, cascading to her waist, starkly contrasted with her crimson eyes. Her skin, as white and dewy as if kissed by milk, glowed softly.
Whoever had styled her, the beige blouse and black midi skirt were an absolutely splendid match.
The only mismatch was her black sneakers; had she worn low heels or strap heels, her appearance and attire would have harmonized perfectly, undoubtedly exuding an explosive charm. Her visuals were so compelling that the citizens’ comments about her being a model or actress were entirely understandable.
‘…Wow.’
For a moment, he considered simply grabbing her wrist and scouting her to become a streamer. However, upon reflection, her attire seemed strangely familiar.
It was precisely the outfit he had heard described moments earlier during his call with Wadeulwadeul: a beige blouse and a black skirt.
As if enchanted, Jung Min-ju approached Wadeulwadeul. Everyone’s sharp gazes converged on him. Wadeulwadeul’s immediate vicinity was like an unfolded domain, with no one daring to enter, and Jung Min-ju had just trespassed.
“Wadeulwadeul…-nim?”
“Ah.”
When Jung Min-ju cautiously called out, a smile blossomed across Wadeulwadeul’s face, which had previously been filled with anxiety and discomfort. Her reaction was akin to finally encountering a familiar face amidst a sea of strangers.
“Wow.”
“Haa.”
At that sight, everyone who had been pretending not to watch let out a collective sigh of admiration. The image of the beautiful girl, previously lost in thought, now smiling, was as radiant as a field of flowers blooming all at once.
“Are you PD Jung Min-ju-nim?”
“…Ah, yes, yes.”
Jung Min-ju was equally stunned by her appearance, causing him to stammer uncharacteristically for a moment.
“It feels a bit strange to introduce myself as Wadeulwadeul. My name is Sori Hwa.”
“…Ah! I’m PD Jung Min-ju from Arc Studio.”
Still reeling from the shock, Jung Min-ju reacted belatedly, fumbling to pull out his business card. Sori Hwa tilted her head at his strange reaction. The beautiful girl before him seemed utterly unaware of the devastating impact of her own appearance.
“Ah. Th-th-there’s a restaurant where I made a reservation, so shall we go?”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
Jung Min-ju stammered. Sori Hwa smiled, seemingly amused, while Jung Min-ju, initially entranced by her, suddenly snapped back to his senses.
This meeting.
It was proving to be more challenging than he had anticipated.
****
In truth, Sori Hwa was also flustered, as this situation was entirely new to her. Originally, she had planned to go out as usual, simply donning a black tracksuit and a black baseball cap pulled low. However, realizing it was a business meeting, she felt that attire would be impolite. Thus, she had chosen to wear the clothes Dang Ria had bought for her.
Having always worn gender-neutral clothing, feminine attire felt both uncomfortable and unfamiliar to Sori Hwa. The sensation of wind passing between her legs beneath the skirt was particularly new to her.
And because she kept feeling people’s gazes, she had been staring at the ground, but thankfully, Jung Min-ju had found her, allowing her to escape this awkward situation, which brought a flush of relief to her face.
For some reason, this seemingly energetic PD was not as sharp and decisive as he had been on the phone. She had initially wondered if he was a new PD, but upon receiving his business card, she saw he was an assistant manager. An assistant manager would have at least four to five years of experience, which struck her as slightly odd.
“Where did you make the reservation?”
“Ah, I reserved a restaurant inside Changgung Department Store. It’s called Dowon Dim Sum, a famous dim sum place.”
Even though Jung Min-ju was right beside her, he inexplicably kept glancing at Sori Hwa as he spoke. And whenever their eyes met, he would quickly avert his gaze. Though his behavior was somewhat perplexing, she decided to simply regard him as a very shy person. She wondered how someone so timid could work in sales, but it wasn’t Sori Hwa’s concern.
Dowon Dim Sum, of all places. Dowon Dim Sum was a franchise that aimed to elevate dim sum into a luxury experience. The fact that he had reserved such a place made her feel a little burdened.
“I only came to hear the terms, so a cafe would have been fine.”
“No, no! It’s customary for MCNs to treat streamers to a meal when meeting. Please don’t feel too burdened.”
“Wouldn’t it be a bit much to call me a streamer, though?”
Sori Hwa chuckled, scratching her cheek awkwardly. Jung Min-ju continued to avoid her gaze, responding in small increments.
“Even if viewers initially gathered due to sensationalism, retaining 1,500 viewers at the end of a broadcast already makes one an excellent streamer. Once your average concurrent viewers exceed 1,000, you can earn enough to be a full-time streamer.”
“Is that so?”
Sori Hwa spoke with evident interest. She didn’t know exactly how much a full-time streamer could earn, but those words alone warmed her heart. What Sori Hwa had always needed was a regular and stable income.
“And I’m not just saying this casually, Ri Hwa-nim, you are destined to become a major success. I can stake everything on that.”
“…But I’ve only streamed for one day.”
“Even a needle in a pocket eventually makes its presence known; what more can be said for a greatsword?”
What flattery this was. Had Sori Hwa ever heard such compliments in her life? This feeling, both embarrassing and yet desirable for more, was truly fantastic.
She knew she shouldn’t, but she already felt an urge to sign a contract.
As they spoke and rode the escalator, they soon arrived in front of Dowon Dim Sum.
“Welcome. Do you have a reservation?”
“Yes, a reservation under Jung Min-ju for 12:20 PM.”
“Yes, Jung Min-ju-nim. Confirmed.”
Although she had visited such establishments a few times in Korea, this was her first time in a high-end restaurant in the Central Plains (TL Note: Jungwon, a term referring to the central region of China). It was lavish in a way that felt different from upscale Korean restaurants. She wondered why there were so many golden ornaments and so much red.
Sori Hwa and Jung Min-ju entered the private room to which the staff member guided them. Underneath the table, there was a recessed area, allowing them to comfortably extend their legs.
“You can place your order using the kiosk next to you.”
“Yes, thank you.”
After the staff member closed the door, Jung Min-ju immediately pulled a contract from his briefcase.
‘I’m hungry, why doesn’t he let me order food first?’ she thought in that fleeting moment. Then, right before Sori Hwa’s eyes, Jung Min-ju tore the stack of clipped contract papers in half.
‘…?’
“This is the contract I originally brought to sign with Ri Hwa-nim. It’s the industry standard contract we always use when signing new streamers.”
‘So, he’s not going to sign?’ As Sori Hwa felt confused, Jung Min-ju continued speaking.
“Now that I’ve seen Ri Hwa-nim in person, I understand. These basic terms will never be enough to secure you.”
“…Pardon?”
What kind of performance was this now? As Sori Hwa’s jaw dropped in bewilderment, Jung Min-ju, sensing his moment, aggressively pressed forward.
“Ri Hwa-nim, how many places have contacted you so far?”
Jung Min-ju asked. Moments ago, he couldn’t even meet her eyes properly, but now he was staring with a fiery gaze, causing Sori Hwa to look away this time. She wondered if this was the true nature of PD Jung Min-ju.
“Am I allowed to say?”
“Of course. You don’t have to tell me where.”
“About five places…?”
“Good. But the terms are probably all quite similar. 6:4 or 7:3? If management and marketing are involved, it’ll be 6:4; otherwise, it’s basically 7:3. The contract I brought was like that too.”
“…And?”
“Contact all of them, and let me know the best offer you receive.”
While Sori Hwa was still trying to process everything, Jung Min-ju delivered his final, decisive blow.
“Because I’ll unconditionally offer you 10% more than that.”
Sori Hwa stared at Jung Min-ju, who was coming at her as aggressively as a bulldozer, with a dazed expression. It was an unexpected offensive.
